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Put your pedal to the plaid: New bike fest spins into Canmore in June

Put your pedal to the plaid: New bike fest spins into Canmore in June

Mon. May. 15/17

All photos by Powder Matt

POWDER MATT

CANMORE, AB - Plaid Goat Mountain Bike Fest is set to become a no brainer in early summer because it promises to be not only packed with rad mountain bike rides but also liquid – and local – refreshment. And it’s all for a good cause.

Finding adventure and finding your best ride ever is how Plaid Goat Mountain Bike Fest founder Wanda Bogdane sums up this new event. Her super-charged positive outlook is changing the landscape of mountain biking for the better.

This event seems guaranteed to become a beacon for mountain bikers, who will want to set their compass toward the three-day wheel jam in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Get ready to revel in an energized weekend that includes an expo and demo days on steroids, coaching, glorious group rides for all abilities, shuttles for your convenience and a craft beer hub.

I had the pleasure of checking out some of the terrain while I was in Canmore recently.

We began riding the trail Reclaimer. This is likely to become one of many riders’ mountain bike favourite trails, and part of the limitless kilometres that span the riding region around Canmore. Reclaimer starts with a steep section, hitting a few technical corners, keeping me on my toes trying my best to keep up with Bogdane.

On a merciful break, I ask her what motivated her to start a new mountain bike festival. With a wide grin, she says, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Well, she appears to be doing that here. As president of the non-profit Canmore and Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA), she’s focused on building a bunch of killer trails in and around the town. The Plaid Goat Mountain Bike Fest also has a fundraising element that will further support Bogdane’s dream of supporting the greater sport of mountain biking throughout British Columbia and Alberta.

“We are in the process of adding more enduro, purpose-built, bike-centric trails here, “says Bogdane. “The Plaid Goat Mountain Bike Fest, will introduce more people to this two-wheel lifestyle, as mountain biking is such an important part of the fabric of Canmore.”

With the yellow orb at our backs, we end the day playing on some skinnies, big curvy berms and endless switchbacks on the technical trails of Tunnel Mountain.

Packing up the gear, we’re ready for that all-important rally among mountain bikers, the post-ride beer. It seems fitting we are heading to Banff Ave Brewing Company, kicking back and enjoying the festival’s namesake brew, Plaid Goat Red Ale.

Canmore’s geographic location, snugged into the mountains, makes it a pilgrimage of sorts for outdoor junkies chasing a variety of outdoor pursuits. And like a good plaid shirt, I can tell this mountain bike fest will fit nicely here.

Here’s some of what to expect June 23 - 25:

Huge Demo Days: check out killer bikes from some of the best brands.

Local craft beer hub: Sample some of the region’s best craft beer and don’t miss the event’s own Plaid Goat Red Ale, by Banff Ave Brewing Company.

For someone who’s had to work hard to embrace our longest season, I couldn’t help but get excited about the upcoming Canmore Winter Carnival after talking to cross-country ski Olympic medallist Sara Renner.

Related Festivals

The Canmore Winter Carnival celebrates the season and and has been a tradition locals and out-of-towners for more than 20 years. The 2016 event is shaping up to be the biggest yet. Two World Cup events will be part of the carnival along with 45 days of events, including ice carving, snow sculpting and the popular Snowy Owl Kid N Mutt races, just to name a few.

Ski Tour Canada 2016 is an exhilarating eight-stage cross-country skiing event across Canada that showcases some of Canada’s most iconic and historic ski destinations. The final stop is in Canadian Canmore, AB, which just happens to also be when the Canmore's Winter Carnival is happening. Cheer on Team Canada as they go head to head against some of the world's top Nordic skiers.

Enjoy a 3-day cultural celebration revelling in the mountain bike stoke of the Canadian Rockies. The weekend will include a main expo/festival, bike demos for Demo-licious Days wristband holders, group rides, a craft beer tent, endless amounts of Canadian Rockies singletrack & a few surprises!

The Canmore Folk Music Festival is the longest running folk music festival in Alberta and one of its finest. Adhering to a philosophy and legacy of pure folk, world, blues, and roots music, the festival since 1978 has attracted up to 15,000 music fans annually from across southern Alberta, western Canada, the northwestern USA and indeed the world.